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View Full Version : A letter to my editor


dubaifox
07-25-2006, 08:11 PM
I am working with a director who really struggles with editing without any music. He wants us to write grooves and beds first so he can edit to it.

The frustrating thing for us is that he is losing out on having music that really supports the scenery and imagagery of his films. He does a lot of nature/underwater documentaries, and we all know how effective great music can be for this genre of film. Sardines skimming along the surface of the water requires different music than a nurse shark slowly slumbering in the depths.

Anyway, here is my proposal to him, based in part on some suggestions people gave me a few weeks ago.

Though I'd see if anybody had anything to add.


Hi......:

There is a method of editing a film that is to be scored to original music. I was wondering if you have ever tried it. It may be a really fast and effective way for you to edit the next films.

It involves you editing to click tracks we provide, based on the style/energy of the film.

We first sit down and determine the overall architecture of the film.

An 8 minute film could be broken down into 4 two minute sections. Each of these sections would be cut to a different tempo or speed of clicks.
-If you have a subdued section with lots of long shots and long fades, we would provide you with a slower click track.
-A fast paced section with lots of movement and quick shots we would give you a faster click and so on.

You are not entirely bound by the click, as there will be times where you might want to abandon the clicks altogether to give a very loose feel. This is when very atmospheric, ethereal music is really effective!

This does several things for you:

-It gives 4 different tempos of visual rhythm to your editing, for variety.
-It can help you to quickly determine how long every shot should be.
-You can create rhythm with your images. Say alternating from a shot that is 8 clicks to 4 shots that are 4 clicks.
-This is also a great way to create a dramatic build in an action section where you gradually increase the number of frames until the last section has four images per click. (or more)

The next step is for us to compose the music to your film.

Because everything is on a grid and has visual rhythm, the music will automatically fit the pace of your edits.

But the real beauty of the music will come from us supporting the style of each shot with our music. Within each two minute section you may have several “mini-styles” of music, significant hit points our sound effects we can create in our music that really adds that extra polish and professional touch, so much more than if we just provide you with a two minute music cue that doesn’t have much variety and doesn’t fully support the images in your film.

Cheers!

fongi
07-26-2006, 12:36 AM
I think you´ve said it all! ;)

Jeff Hayat
07-26-2006, 05:38 AM
Well said, but a bit wordy; he may not want to sit there and read all of that. He should, but he might not want to.

Personally, I think you said it all in the part of your post which was directed at the forum. I edited it a bit as it would be directed (pun alert!) towards him.

You are losing out on having music that really supports the fantastic and awe-inspiring scenery and imagagery of your films. With nature/underwater documentaries, we both know how effective great music can be for this genre of film. Sardines skimming along the surface of the water requires different music than a nurse shark slowly slumbering in the depths.

Not saying that's all you should say, but you summed it up better there than in your proposal to him. You also should add the part about the clicks, specifically "You are not entirely bound by the click...", but keep it short and to the point.

Furthermore, "There is a method of editing a film that is to be scored to original music. I was wondering if you have ever tried it." Sounds confrontational, insulting, and gives off the "I am more experienced than you and know better" attitude. I am sure you didn't mean it that way (or did you? LOL!), bur it might be taken that way. I'd leave that out.

Good luck!

SOJO7
07-26-2006, 11:49 AM
I'd actually suggest you structure the music around the major beats instead of every 120 seconds... but other than that I pretty much agree with you.:)

Edx
07-26-2006, 01:37 PM
Why doesnt he just use a temp track like every other normal producer?

Crossingsound
07-26-2006, 08:36 PM
Furthermore, "There is a method of editing a film that is to be scored to original music. I was wondering if you have ever tried it." Sounds confrontational, insulting, and gives off the "I am more experienced than you and know better" attitude. I am sure you didn't mean it that way (or did you? LOL!), bur it might be taken that way. I'd leave that out.

Good luck!


Great point there Riff, This sentence could be taken as condescending rather then a nice way to suggest another approach. Temp tracks are nice to edit too, but if he is kewl with editing to a click, all the more awesome your music tracks will sound when adding in, plus he won't get locked into the temp music feel, ya know.

dubaifox
07-27-2006, 05:31 AM
Just had a meeting with the director.

We wrote three cues for the rough cut he provided for us.

The first one was a very detailed cue with lots of hit points.

The other two were general vibes that captured the overall feel but without much interplay between music and film.

Hi liked all of the music but especially how the first cue made the movie jump to life. He could really see the difference it made to have tailored music.

So I think we have won him over a bit, at least.

I just would love to win his confidence so that we could avoid this middle process.

fongi
08-02-2006, 01:51 AM
I love a happy ending :D

HornMeister
08-02-2006, 07:48 PM
I love a happy ending :D


cue the sappy happy music

Lee Ophelius
08-07-2006, 02:44 AM
Would that come with a click track or................:D